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    The Ridge Trail

    3.5 (2 reviews)

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    15 years ago

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    Cascade Mountain

    Cascade Mountain

    4.7(18 reviews)
    11.3 mi

    This was the first high peak we climbed and wow did it pay off! This is often considered the best…read morebeginner high peak but it was still very tough for us given that we were out of shape. Parts of ot are very steep and can be difficult in wet conditons. Cascade is great because if you can push yourself a little more, you can double back to see Porter mountain's peak as well! The view was absolutely breathtaking and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a challenging hike!

    One of my favorite hikes in the high peak region -- it's a great starter one to those interested in…read moredoing a high peak. You combine it with Porter to get two mountains off your list, for the "physical price" of doing one! This is a gentle mountain, but still should not be taken lightly as it is a high peak and it will challenge you, no matter how fit you might be. I've climbed this in the summer 2-3 times and at least 2-3 times in the winter. I prefer doing it in the winter personally for less crowds and beautiful ice covered pine sights and an Arctic wonderland, but either one is gorgeous. Parking is free, but limited...come early to try to snag a spot. Doing both mountains will only add an hour or so to your total hike time, so don't be afraid to tackle both even if you might be tired after hitting Cascade. I think Cascade is good to hit first and then head over to Porter, but honestly either one will work well. Plan 3-8hours round trip, depending on your level of physical ability. Come prepared and know the conditions, talk to the rangers or other hikers so you know what to expect.

    Photos
    Cascade Mountain - View from the summit

    View from the summit

    Cascade Mountain
    Cascade Mountain

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    Sleeping Beauty Mountain - Mid October, Sleeping Beauty Summit.

    Sleeping Beauty Mountain

    4.8(5 reviews)
    39.1 mi

    A great hike of moderate difficulty. The summit is lovely, with beautiful views of Lake George and…read morethe surrounding mountains. Some areas of the trail are fairly eroded, but there were crews there working to protect the trail and divert water. Even with a full parking lot, the hike was long enough that we didn't see people very often along the way. We saw some families with little ones, but none near the top, so I'm not sure how far they made it. This wouldn't be an easy hike carrying kids, and I don't think most kids under 10 would stick it through to the end. A few portions are pretty steep, so it'd be tough on little legs. The one downside is that apparently Dacy Clearing Road isn't always fully open to vehicles, so rather than parking closer to the trailhead, you may have a few extra miles to walk on a gravel road. This takes your roundtrip from approximately 5 miles to roughly 8.

    One of the most beautiful places I've hiked in. The view from the summit is spectacular on a sunny…read moresummer day, and probably even better in the fall. The hike to the top can be long or short, depending on your skill level, and how you want it to be. If you choose to do a longer hike, you can park at the Hogtown parking lot at the bottom. If you choose the shorter path ( 1.8 mi) to the summit, you must drive further down a dirt path (if the gate to go further is open) for another mile or so and park at the Dacy clearing. The hike itself is not bad. It can be a little rocky and steep, but if you're in average shape, you should be okay. It is for the average to moderate hikers. There were a lot of families with smaller children and dogs when I went. It's definitely something a family can enjoy. If you go on a nice day, I would recommend bringing lunch or snacks with you. It was really nice to eat with a view of the Adirondacks, and Lake George.

    Photos
    Sleeping Beauty Mountain - Fire on the Mountain.....not really a fire but nature's autumn magic.

    Fire on the Mountain.....not really a fire but nature's autumn magic.

    Sleeping Beauty Mountain - Bumps Pond

    Bumps Pond

    Sleeping Beauty Mountain

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    The Whiteface Mountain Veterans Memorial Highway

    The Whiteface Mountain Veterans Memorial Highway

    4.4(44 reviews)
    20.8 mi

    There are certain accomplishments in life that sound considerably more impressive when you leave…read moreout a few details. "I summited Whiteface Mountain." This is true. "How?" I drove. If you have ever wanted to stand atop a legitimate Adirondack High Peak but have no particular interest in hiking several miles uphill to get there, the Whiteface Mountain Veterans Memorial Highway is the place for you. We paid $75 for our van of five to make the trip up, and I thought it was money well spent. The highway climbs roughly 2,300 feet over five miles toward the summit of 4,867 foot Whiteface Mountain. Built as a memorial to World War I veterans and opened in the 1930s, it remains one of the highest paved roads in the Northeast. The drive up is beautiful and surprisingly easy. The views improve as you climb until you reach the parking area near the summit and the wonderfully peculiar Whiteface Castle. Built from native stone, the castle contains a cafe, gift shop, and restrooms. From there, you can walk the final few hundred feet up what they generously call a staircase to the summit. The other option is to walk a few hundred feet across the parking area to a tunnel which leads to the elevator. The ride takes about 90 seconds, but the elevator is quite small, perhaps half a dozen passengers plus the operator, so I imagine the wait could get lengthy when the mountain is busy. The views from the summit are incredible. On a clear day, the Adirondacks seem to stretch forever in every direction. It is a spectacular reward for a relatively modest amount of physical exertion. The cafe and gift shop are predictably expensive, because apparently altitude causes inflation, but the pizza was actually not bad. One piece of advice for the drive back down: save the scenic pull offs for the descent. The road is steep, and even when using low gear, your brakes are going to be doing some serious work. Stop at the pull offs, enjoy the views, and give them a chance to cool down before continuing. There is no prize for reaching the bottom with the hottest brakes in the Adirondacks. Five stars. This is an absolute must do if you are anywhere near Lake Placid. You get a beautiful historic drive, a castle on a mountain, an elevator through the mountain, and spectacular summit views. You may not have hiked to the top of Whiteface Mountain, but you were there. And your legs will never tell anyone otherwise.

    Wanna see the high peaks but don't like hiking? This gorgeous, scenic drive up to Whiteface…read moremountain's summit is the perfect solution. There is a fee (I believe $10 a car or $10 per passenger) but it is worth it to see unforgettable views of the high peaks region. Before you even reach the top, you will find yourself pulling over to capture all the sights along the way. There is a gift shop at the top for souvenirs and multiple sections to view from. There is a long tunnel through the mountain you walk through from the parking lot. I could spent hours here soaking up the views and never tire of it! An absolute must on any Lake Placid trip itinerary!

    Photos
    The Whiteface Mountain Veterans Memorial Highway
    The Whiteface Mountain Veterans Memorial Highway
    The Whiteface Mountain Veterans Memorial Highway

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    The Ridge Trail - hiking - Updated September 2026

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